Angels aren't interested in Pedro Martinez, general manager says

The Angels have "no interest" in pitcher Pedro Martinez, General Manager Tony Reagins said Sunday.

Reagins said the Angels chose not to pursue Martinez for baseball reasons and not financial ones.

The Angels scouted Martinez at his workout last week in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers did not scout the workout, and Manager Joe Torre said that the team has not discussed Martinez since spring training.

Reagins did not elaborate on his comments, but a baseball source familiar with reports from the workout said Martinez's fastball was clocked most often in the 85-mph range.

The source, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to publicly discuss scouting reports, said Martinez had good arm speed and quality off-speed pitches but said teams would have to consider whether he could pitch effectively at that velocity or whether he might regain enough velocity in time to help this season.

Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, went 5-6 with a career-high 5.61 earned-run average for the New York Mets last season. He has not pitched in the major leagues this season, and he is reportedly asking $5 million to do so.

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Lineup changes

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia started Robb Quinlan at first base in the seventh spot and second baseman Sean Rodriguez in the eighth spot Sunday. He said he wanted to rest first baseman Kendry Morales and second baseman Maicer Izturis before the Angels faced Colorado today.

"We're going to get three righties, so we want to get [Morales and Izturis] a breather," Scioscia said. "Q's been swinging the bat well and Sean's swinging the bat very well in triple A and had some good at-bats here."

Quinlan began Sunday's game batting .305 for his career against left-handed pitchers. The Angels faced Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw on Sunday evening. Quinlan has a .232 average this season.

"It's not an ideal role for a younger player but Q's become accustomed to it being a veteran," Scioscia said of Quinlan's coming off the bench to spot start.

Rodriguez is batting .167 but hit his first home run of the season June 15 against San Francisco.

Scioscia also said starter John Lackey's struggles against left-handed batters would even themselves out and that there was no "fatal flaw" with his delivery.

"There's still a little spring training in him," Scioscia said. "He's not that far off."